Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Why buy this top-of-the-line phone?
I wanted the latest Android phone with fast processor, robust 3G where my laptop could tether to it and support for local WiFi hotspots. The screen had to be excellent quality (this one is OLED!), fast touch interface for easy typing, 5MP+ camera (I have a SLR so this is just for back-up; I felt 5MP is fine because there is no point getting higher MP in a cellphone camera because the lenses are poor) with focus by touch and a built-in flashbulb, user-swappable batteries and memory cards. And HTC was first preference due to the HTC Simple interface which is quite a slick addition to Android including superb Facebook and Twitter integration if you like that. Oh and by the way, the whole phone should be ultra lightweight (the HD2 looked humongous to me and the Motorola Droid was both big and had a mushy keyboard) and normal use battery time at least a full day. Furthermore, it had to have quadband since I travel all over and unlocked so I could swap in local SIM cards and get realistic data and calling rates.
This was a lofty list, and the HTC Desire met everything on paper - I was excited to get it about a week ago.
In hand, the HTC Desire has lived up to *everything* and surprises with decent voice quality, much faster responsiveness than I expected, a built-in FM Radio for kicks, easy Calendar and Contact synch with Outlook, haptic touchscreen, and longer battery life then I had expected easily covering a whole day or more. Typing on this touchscreen is pretty nice. It is also super lightwight and pocketable. Wow! HTC has done a first rate job.
Flaws: the whole front is a piece of glass so recommend you buy a scratch guard. The back is simply a piece of plastic that you peel off to access the battery; do this too many times and I think a replacement back might be needed after year or so but so far no problems and it looks pretty secure. The speaker has limited volume before it starts to clip - it's OK for speakerphone but no portable boombox. The camera is OK not great image quality; you have to push in the little silver round joystick button to activate and I have had some camera shake trying to use this so it will really be last ditch... although one cool thing is really easy upload to Facebook and it has geotagging - again wow.
No iTunes of course so you will not be able to port 'Protected' files without the 30-cent upgrade; after that try iSynch and you get songs and playlists too. On the other hand, Android has tons of apps and a much more open environment for future app development.
This only has one camera, whereas the EVO has a front-facing camera phone for video calls. I guess the next-generation HTC may have that, but I needed a new 3G unlocked phone now and the laptop already has a webcam for Skype video so not really missing that feature too much.
Caveats: I have not had a chance to try the EDGE service yet; waiting for the right carrier SIM card; WiFi gives great results. Note that I could only see 802.11a networks and not b/g/n... not sure if that is a hardware, software or user issue though. I think that is the lowest common denominator standard and should work in most hotspots though.
Overall - this is every feature I wanted and more in a sweet design. Count me a satisfied - even thrilled - customer.
Click Here to see more reviews about: HTC Desire A8181 Android Smartphone with 5 MP Camera, Wi-Fi, Touchscreen and Bluetooth--International Version with No Warranty
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